Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080212162 | Method for aligning die to substrate - A method for aligning a micro-mirror device die having a plurality of micro-mirror devices formed on a semiconductor substrate and fixing the micro-mirror device die on the semiconductor substrate can be provided. The method comprises a first alignment step of aligning a first guide portion of the micro-mirror device die and a second guide portion of the package substrate and a fixing step of fixing the micro-mirror device die on the package substrate in a position aligned by the first alignment step using the first and second guide portions. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218438 | Deformable micromirror device - A micromirror device, which makes an image display with digital image data, comprises pixel elements which are arranged in the form of a matrix and each of which modulates incident light by using an ON state for deflecting incident light to projection optics, an OFF state for deflecting incident light to a direction different from the projection optics, and an oscillation state where a mirror oscillates between the ON and the OFF state, and a timing controller for performing a timing control for loading the image data into the pixel elements arranged in the form of the matrix. Each of the pixel elements has a mirror, and at least one memory cell. The pixel elements arranged in the form of the matrix are grouped into a plurality of subsets. The timing controller performs a timing control for loading the image data at independent timing for each of the plurality of subsets. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218458 | Color display system - A color display device including: at least one spatial light modulation element forming a display picture by modulated light obtained by modulating illumination light, a color sequential light generation device changing in a time series the illumination light or the modulated light into multiple groups of different color lights in one frame of a display period of the display picture, a control device controlling the spatial light modulator, and a color sequential light generation device based on the input picture data. The control device controls the spatial light modulator and the color sequential light generation device to change the ratio of the display time of each color of the reflected light time-shared in the display period of the frame depending on the character and/or the set value of the input picture data. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218537 | Color display system - A color display device including: at least one spatial light modulation element forming a display picture by modulated light obtained by modulating illumination light, a color sequential light generation device changing in a time series the illumination light or the modulated light into multiple groups of different color lights in one frame of a display period of the display picture, a control device controlling the spatial light modulator, and a color sequential light generation device based on the input picture data. The control device controls the spatial light modulator and the color sequential light generation device to change the ratio of the display time of each color of the reflected light time-shared in the display period of the frame depending on the character and/or the set value of the input picture data. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218830 | Micromirror device with a single address electrode - A micromirror device comprises a plurality of mirrors arranged on a substrate, an elastic hinge for supporting any each of the mirrors to be deflectable in a plurality of directions, an electrode arranged to face the mirror, and a driving circuit, which is connected to the mirror via the elastic hinge, for applying to the mirror an address voltage for independently controlling the deflection of the mirror. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218831 | Control methods for micromirror devices implemented with a single address electrode - A method for controlling a micromirror device including mirror elements each composed of a micromirror supported on a substrate by an elastic hinge, and a address electrode arranged across the deflection axis of the micromirror comprises deflecting the micromirror by changing a potential to a predetermined waveform for the address electrode. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218844 | MEMS devices with an etch stop layer - This invention discloses a MEMS device supported on a substrate formed with electric circuit thereon. The MEMS device includes at least an electrode connected to the circuit and at least a movable element that is controlled by the electrode. The MEMS device further includes a conformal protective layer over the electrode and the circuit wherein the protective layer is semiconductor-based material. In a preferred embodiment, the MEMS device is a micromirror and the semiconductor material is one of a group of materials consisting of Si, SiC, Ge, SiGe, SiNi and SiW. | 09-11-2008 |
20080231936 | Display system comprising a mirror device with micromirrors controlled to operate in intermediate oscillating state - A display system includes a spatial light modulator for displaying a image by the modulation state of a plurality of micromirrors, and a control device for controlling the spatial light modulator. The control device includes a data conversion device for converting the digital image data into non-binary data, and a modulation-control device for generating a modulation control signal for micromirrors depending on the non-binary data, and controlling the spatial light modulator. The modulation state of the micromirrors by the modulation control signal includes modulation by oscillation of the micromirrors. The modulation control signal controls amplitude of the oscillation to be smaller than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors in the modulation by the oscillation of the micromirrors. The oscillation having smaller amplitude than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors is repeated by the modulation control signal in an optional time duration or frequency. | 09-25-2008 |
20080239454 | Mirror device - A spatial light modulator supported on a device substrate includes a plurality of light modulation elements to modulate a light emitted from a light source. The spatial light modulator and the device substrate further comprises a cyclic structure on a surface of the spatial light modulator and/or the device substrate for preventing a reflection of the incident light from the cyclic structure. In an exemplary embodiment the cyclic structure includes cyclic structural elements having a distance between two cyclic elements shorter than the wavelength of an incident light for preventing a reflection of the incident light from the cyclic structure. | 10-02-2008 |
20080246782 | Color display system - A color display device including: at least one spatial light modulation element forming a display picture by modulated light obtained by modulating illumination light, a color sequential light generation device changing in a time series the illumination light or the modulated light into multiple groups of different color lights in one frame of a display period of the display picture, a control device controlling the spatial light modulator, and a color sequential light generation device based on the input picture data. The control device controls the spatial light modulator and the color sequential light generation device to change the ratio of the display time of each color of the reflected light time-shared in the display period of the frame depending on the character and/or the set value of the input picture data. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246783 | Display system comprising a mirror device with micromirrors controlled to operate in intermediate oscillating state - A display system includes a spatial light modulator for displaying a image by the modulation state of a plurality of micromirrors, and a control device for controlling the spatial light modulator. The control device includes a data conversion device for converting the digital image data into non-binary data, and a modulation-control device for generating a modulation control signal for micromirrors depending on the non-binary data, and controlling the spatial light modulator. The modulation state of the micromirrors by the modulation control signal includes modulation by oscillation of the micromirrors. The modulation control signal controls amplitude of the oscillation to be smaller than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors in the modulation by the oscillation of the micromirrors. The oscillation having smaller amplitude than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors is repeated by the modulation control signal in an optional time duration or frequency. | 10-09-2008 |
20080259008 | Deformable micromirror device - A micromirror device, which makes an image display with digital image data, comprises pixel elements each of which makes pulse width modulation for incident light depending on the deflection state of light and which are arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixel elements has a mirror, and at least one memory cell comprising a transistor and a capacitor. In such a micromirror device, the total value of the propagation delay time of a ROW line, which connects all of transistors of memory cells arranged successively in a ROW direction, and the switching time of each transistor is smaller than the driving interval of the ROW line driven in the minimum display duration of the micromirror device. | 10-23-2008 |
20080285111 | Mirror device - A mirror device, comprising: a mirror; an electrode which is placed on a substrate and on which surface a cavity is formed; and a hinge placed between the mirror and electrode, wherein the hinge is connected to the cavity of the electrode. | 11-20-2008 |
20080285112 | Mirror device - A mirror device comprises: an electrode which is covered with a protective film made of a material containing a semiconductor material and is placed on a substrate; a mirror placed above the electrode; and an electrically conductive hinge placed between the mirror and the electrode, wherein an opening part is formed in a part of the protective film, and the hinge penetrates the protective film in the opening part thereof. | 11-20-2008 |
20090008669 | Package for micromirror device - The present invention discloses a mirror device that includes a mirror element which further comprising an elastic hinge and a mirror and which modulates incident light emitted from a light source, a device substrate on which a drive circuit for driving the mirror element is placed, a package substrate which is made of transparent glass or a silicon material and on which the device substrate is placed, a metallic thermal transfer path connected to the device substrate, and a cover glass connected to the package substrate so that the device substrate is covered. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009732 | Projection display system using laser light source - The present invention provides a projection apparatus that includes a mirror element and a drive circuit for driving a laser light source for projecting an illumination light. The projection apparatus further includes mirror device for modulating the illumination light and a projection lens for projecting the modulated light from the mirror element. The mirror device is disposed on a device substrate and packaged in a package substrate made of a transparent silicon material with a metallic thermal transfer path connected to the device substrate and a cover glass covering the package substrate. The distance between the mirror and the bottom surface of the cover glass is larger than the focal length of the projection lens. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009850 | Gamma correction for adjustable light source - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, that includes: a light source; a light source control unit for controlling the output of the light source; at least one spatial light modulator for modulating the illumination light from the light source by a plurality of pixel elements; and an optical system for projecting, onto a screen, the illumination light deflected by the spatial light modulator, wherein: the light source control unit performs a gamma (γ) correction on input image data by a modulation control of the light source. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009851 | Projection apparatus with coherent light source - The present invention discloses a projection apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting illumination light; a mirror device comprising a plurality of mirrors for generating an image by reflecting the illumination light toward a projecting direction by means of a deflecting operation; and a projection optical system which is placed in the optical axis of reflection light in the projecting direction of the illumination light incident to the mirror device and which projects the reflection light, wherein the optical axis of the illumination light incident to the mirror device and the optical axis of the reflection light in the projecting direction forms an angle that is larger than the expansion angle α of the flux of the illumination light that satisfies NA=n*sin α, where NA is the numerical aperture of the flux of the illumination light, and n is the reflectance. | 01-08-2009 |
20090033808 | Synchronous control system for light source and spatial light modulator employed in projection apparatus - The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: an a light source for emitting illumination light for transmitting along illumination light path; a display device includes a plurality of pixels for modulating the illumination light for reflecting the illumination light along a projection light path after said illumination light is modulated by said display device; light path change actuator for changing the projection light paths; and a control circuit for controlling the light source, wherein the control circuit controls the light source in response to changes of the projection light path. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033878 | System configurations and methods for controlling image projection apparatuses and mirror device - A projection apparatus comprises a light source for emitting an incident light and a deflectable element for reflecting the incident light. The projection apparatus further includes an electric circuit for applying a voltage to deflect the element and to turn off the voltage used during a period when the light source is turned off. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033885 | Projection apparatus and image projection changeover method - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source; a spatial light modulator for modulating the incident light emitted from the light source; a spatial light modulator control unit for generating, from an inputted image signal, a control signal for driving the spatial light modulator; and a light source control unit for receiving data corresponding to the control signal for controlling the light source to operate in one of three states consisted of a driven state, a stopped state and a standby state on the basis of the data. | 02-05-2009 |
20090051712 | Projection apparatus using variable light source - A projection apparatus using a spatial light modulator (SLM), comprising the following: at least one variable light source, at least one spatial light modulator for modulating the illumination light emitted from the variable light source in accordance with the modulation state of arrayed pixel elements, a variable light source controller for controlling modulation of the variable light source, and a spatial light modulator controller for controlling modulation of each pixel element of the spatial light modulator, wherein the variable light source controller controls the variable light source so as to reduce the period in which the modulation states of the pixel element are in transition on a display image. | 02-26-2009 |
20090080059 | Spatial light modulator - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel units configured as a pixel array wherein each of the pixel units further comprises a memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a bit line for transmitting a data signal to the memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a word line for selecting and writing the data signal to the selected memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a plate line for controlling the memory; and an address decoder for selecting the plate line, wherein the address decoder comprises an address judgment unit constituted by a plurality of first judgment units and further includes a second judgment unit for changing an output from the second judgment unit depending on a result generated by the first judgment unit. | 03-26-2009 |
20090091713 | Projection display system with varying light source - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source; at least one spatial light modulator for modulating illumination light from the light source by a plurality of pixel elements by using different modulation states; a light source control unit performing a modulation control of the light source; and a spatial light modulator control unit generating, from an input image signal, a control signal for driving the spatial light modulator, wherein: the light source control unit has a function of receiving data corresponding to the control signal generated by the spatial light modulator control unit, controlling a parameter of an emission pulse of the illumination light emitted from the light source, and thereby adjusting an emission intensity of the illumination light. | 04-09-2009 |
20090102828 | Projection apparatus with adjustable light source - A projection apparatus includes a light source for emitting a light including at least two different wavelengths; a light source control circuit for controlling a light source to emit the light as pulse emissions with a pulse modulation control; at least two spatial light modulators each comprises plurality of pixel elements are arranged in an array; a spatial light modulator control circuit for selectively controlling a modulation state of the respective pixel elements in each of the spatial light modulators in accordance with image data corresponding to the respective pixel elements; and the light source control circuit controls the light source so that a starting time of a pulse emission period of the pulse emissions of at least one of the wavelengths emitted from the light source is different from a modulation control timing of the pixel element of the spatial light modulator. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102988 | Projection device provided with semiconductor light source - The present invention provides a projection device comprising a semiconductor light source comprises a plurality of sub light sources arranged in an array, an illumination optical system for guiding an illumination light emitted from the semiconductor light source, a spatial light modulator for receiving and applying an image signal for modulating the illumination light emitted from the semiconductor light source guided by said illumination optical system, a control circuit for controlling the semiconductor light source and the spatial light modulator and a projection optical system for projecting images by applying the illumination light modulated by the spatial light modulator. The control circuit controls or adjusts the emitting state of the semiconductor light source by modifying at least two of following parameters consisted of an emission intensity, a number of times of emission, an emission period and an emitting timing of the sub light source or a number of emitted light and an emitting position of the sub light sources. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103053 | Projection apparatus comprising spatial light modulator - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source; a plurality of spatial light modulators each comprising a micromirror for deflecting and reflecting an incident light emitted from the light source in directions between a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, and all angles between the first and second directions; and an optical prism comprising surfaces (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), where the surface (i) is a first optical surface with at least two lights of different frequencies are projected thereto, the surface (ii) is a second optical surface for ejecting the two lights incident to the first optical surface therefrom and a modulation light modulated by the spatial light modulator and is incident thereto, the surface (iii) is a synthesis surface for synthesizing the modulation lights modulated by a plurality of spatial light modulators into a same light path, and the surface (iv) is an ejection surface for ejecting the synthesized light synthesized on the synthesis surface, wherein the locus of deflection of the deflection light is approximately parallel to the synthesis surface when the aforementioned locus of deflection is projected onto a flat surface perpendicular to the synthesis surface. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103054 | Projection apparatus comprising spatial light modulator - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source; a plurality of spatial light modulators each comprising a micromirror for modulating and deflecting an incident light emitted from the light source in an intermediate direction between a first and a second directions and all angles between the first and second directions The projection apparatus further includes a projection optical system for projecting a modulation light modulated by the spatial light modulator The projection apparatus further includes a first joinder prism comprising a first optical surface with at least two of the incident lights with different frequencies projected thereto, a second optical surface for ejecting the incident light incident from the first optical surface and for projecting the modulation light thereto, and a selective reflection surface for reflecting the incident light incident from the first optical surface and transmitting the modulation light. The projection apparatus further includes and a second joinder prism comprising a third optical surface with the modulation light ejected from the first joinder prism transmitted thereto, a synthesis surface for synthesizing the modulation lights with different frequencies incident from the third optical surface transmitted in the same light path, and an ejection surface disposed at a position approximately opposite to the projection optical system for ejecting a synthesized light synthesized on the synthesis surface, wherein the first optical surface is approximately perpendicular to the synthesis surface. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103155 | System configurations and methods for controlling image projection apparatuses - The mirror device comprising a plurality of deflectable mirrors for reflecting light, wherein the mirror is controllable to deflect to a first direction during an incident period with the light incident to the deflectable mirror and at an end of the incident period the mirror is controllable to deflect to a second direction opposite to the first direction during a non-incidence period in which the light is not incident to the present mirror. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103158 | System configurations and method for controlling image projection apparatuses - A projection apparatus implemented with a mirror device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode part and second electrode. The elastic hinge supports a mirror and the mirror is controlled to deflect when drawn by a Coulomb force generated between the mirror and electrodes by applying a voltage to the electrodes. The projection apparatus further includes a light source for projecting a light to the mirror for modulating the light by deflecting the mirror to different deflection states. The light source suppresses the emission of the illumination light during a period when the mirror performs a series of operations to shift from a non-deflection state, placing the mirror in a stationary and non-deflection state, to a predetermined deflection state. | 04-23-2009 |
20090115917 | Speckle reduction method - A projection apparatus comprising a light source for projecting an illumination light through an illumination optical system to a spatial light modulator (SLM) for modulating the illumination light for generating and transmitting an image projection light to an image projection surface through a projection optical system to display an image. The projection apparatus further includes an image process unit for receiving and analyzing an input image data; and the image process unit applies a conversion process to a signal related to the input image data to generate different control patterns for a plurality of adjacent pixel elements included in the SLM for a predetermined period during at least one frame period to reproduce a gradation of the pixel whereby each of the plurality of adjacent pixel elements has a gradation of approximately a same level. | 05-07-2009 |
20090128462 | Spatial light modulator and mirror device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units each having a memory. The spatial light modulator further includes bit lines for transmitting a first data signal and a second data signal to the memory of each of the pixel units and a word line connected to a memory for selecting the memory and setting the first or second data signal from the bit line. The spatial light modulator further includes a plate line for transmitting a third data signal, a fourth data signal to the pixel units, and setting a fifth data signal to have a voltage between a voltage of the third data signal and a voltage of the fourth data signal. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128463 | Spatial light modulator implemented with a mirror array device - The present invention discloses a spatial light modulator that includes a plurality of pixel units arranged as a pixel array. Each of the pixel units further comprises memory circuits. The spatial light modulator further includes a first data line for transmitting a first data signal to the memory circuits and a second data line for transmitting a second data signal to the memory circuits. The spatial light modulator further comprises a coupling circuit element for electrically coupling the memory circuits and second data line. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128464 | Mirror array device - The present invention provides a mirror array device, comprising: a plurality of mirror elements configured as two-dimensional array extending along a vertical direction and a horizontal direction on a device substrate. Each of the mirror elements further comprises an address electrode placed on the device substrate. A bit line is connected to for transmitting a first data signal to the address electrode. A first address decoder selects the address electrode. A word line for transmitting a first control signal from the first address decoder for selecting a first selected address electrode from the address electrodes. A second address decoder generates and transmits a second control signal through a plate line for selecting a second selected address electrode from the address electrodes. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128465 | Spatial light modulator implemented with a mirror array device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel units configured as a two dimensional array extending in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction; a plurality of row lines each comprises a word line and a plate line connected to a plurality of the pixel units along a row in the horizontal direction; a first address decoder for selecting the word line; a second address decoder for selecting the plate line; and a level retention circuit interconnected between the plate line and second address decoder to retain a voltage level of the plate line. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128588 | Color display system - An image display apparatus is disclosed in this invention. The image display apparatus includes a light source for emitting an illumination light, at least one spatial light modulator for receiving and applying an image signal for modulating illumination light from the light source, and a control circuit for controlling the light source and/or the spatial light modulator to project a modulated light for image display having different gray scale characteristics between at least two successive frames. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128704 | Color sequential illumination for spatial light modulator - The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: a light source or light sources for emitting a luminous flux or luminous fluxes having a plurality of colors; a spatial light modulator for modulating the luminous flux(es) having a plurality of colors incoming from the light sources; and controller for processing video image input data, which is input, and controlling the light source(s) and the spatial light modulator, wherein the controller generates a plurality of video image signals of colors constituting a video image based on the video image input data, and controls the light source(s) so as to cause the light source(s) having at least two colors, from among the light source(s) having a plurality of colors, to perform pulse emission in sequence and modulate the pulse emission during a period shorter than a modulation period controlled under the spatial light modulator is with the video image signal of one color from among the video image signals. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128883 | Display apparatus using pulsed light source - The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: a light source; at least one spatial light modulator for modulating a luminous flux emitted from the light source; and controller for processing video image information, which is input, and controlling the light source and the spatial light modulator, wherein the controller controls the light source and the spatial light modulator so as to perform pulse emission of the light source during a period shorter than a period in which the spatial light modulator is controlled under a modulation state and also controls the light source so as to modulate the pulse emission during a period shorter than a period in which the spatial light modulator is controlled under a modulation state. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128884 | Spatial light modulator implemented with a mirror array device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of row lines each connected to a plurality of memory circuits; and a plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines connected to the memory circuits for selecting and controlling sets of the memory circuits connected to the selected row lines at pre-designated times for each of the row lines. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128885 | Spatial light modulator and mirror array device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of mirror elements; a plurality of address electrodes for controlling the movement of each of the mirror elements; and first and second control circuits for generating a voltage in the address electrode, wherein the second control circuit applies a voltage to the address electrode when the mirror element is in a moving state. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128887 | Spatial light modulator and mirror array device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units further comprises memory cell. A plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines for electrically communicating with the pixel units. A plurality of plate lines, wherein the plate line is connected to at least some of the memory cells connected to one of the word lines of the pixel array. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128888 | Mirror array device - The present invention provides a mirror array device, comprising: a plurality of mirror elements each comprising a hinge and a deflectable mirror supported by the hinge; a memory cell for controlling the mirror element; a bit line for transmitting a data signal to the memory cell; a word line for controlling a connection between the bit line and the memory cell; a plate line for controlling the memory cell. Each of the mirror elements further comprises a first address electrode controlled by the word line to connect to the memory cell. Each of the mirror elements further comprises a second address electrode electrically connected to the plate line. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128890 | Spatial light modulator and mirror array device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units comprises a memory cell. A plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines to electrically communicate with the pixel units. A plurality of bit line sets wherein each of the sets includes a pair of bit lines each connected to a memory cell, wherein at least one pair of the memory cells connected to the pair of bit lines are on a same row connected to a same word line. | 05-21-2009 |
20090135313 | Method for projecting colored video image and system thereof - The present invention provides a method for projecting a colored video image, characterized in that a color-light generation device for generating and projecting at least two light fluxes having at least two different colors wherein the different colors are controlled to change in a time division manner; at least two spatial light modulators receiving and applying input video image date for modulating the light fluxes for generating modulated lights from each of the spatial light modulators; an optical device for combining the modulated lights from the spatial light modulators into a combined modulated light and projecting the combined modulated light; and a controller for controlling the color-light generation device and the spatial light modulators, wherein the controller controls and adjusts a ratio of a modulation period of each color synchronized with a change of the colors of the light fluxes in the time division manner. | 05-28-2009 |
20090141036 | Video image display apparatus and buffer management method for video image display apparatus - A buffer management method implemented in a video image display apparatus for displaying images, including: controlling a write address in a buffer for writing input data thereto; controlling a read address in the buffer for reading display data therefrom; comparing the write address and read address; and managing a transmission of the display data to a spatial light modulator (SLM) based on a comparison result of comparing the write address to the read address. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141187 | Buffer Management system for video image display apparatus - A video image display apparatus for displaying a video image in accordance with a video image signal comprising: a light source; and a control unit for generating display data for a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and a second SLM for modulating illumination lights projected from the light source, wherein the control unit generates the display data comprising first-color data and second-color data, different from the first-color data, which is sequentially changed over when transmitted to the second SLM during a period when the first-color data is transmitted to the first SLM. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141188 | Video Image display apparatus and timing control method - A video image display apparatus for displaying a video image in accordance with a video image signal including: a light source for emitting an illumination light to a color wheel driven by a color wheel driving unit to rotate the color wheel for filtering and transmitting lights of different colors therefrom; a spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving the lights of different colors projected from the color wheel; a master clock signal generation unit for generating a master clock signal constituting a reference for transferring data to the SLM; a frame start signal generation unit for generating, from the master clock signal, a frame start signal indicating the start of a frame; a wheel position detection unit for detecting an angular position of the wheel; a phase comparison unit for comparing a phase of the frame start signal with a wheel index signal generated from the wheel position detection unit indicating a position of the color wheel; and a motor control unit for receiving a phase comparison signal from the phase comparison unit for controlling a rotation speed of a motor for driving the color wheel to rotate at a controlled rotation speed. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141189 | Light source control method for video image display apparatus and video image display apparatus - A method for controlling a light source of a video image display apparatus, comprising: projecting illumination lights to a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and a second SLM, and changing over a wavelength of one of the illumination lights projected to the second SLM in a sequence during a period when the wavelength of another one of the illumination lights projected to the first SLM is controlled to have a flexibly adjustable wavelength. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141194 | Apparatus and method, both for controlling spatial light modulator - An image display apparatus includes: an illumination light source controlled by an illumination light control unit for projecting a first illumination light and a second illumination light; a first SLM for modulating a first illumination light; a second SLM for modulating a second illumination light; and an SLM control unit for controlling the first and second SLMs, wherein the SLM control unit controls the second SLM in accordance with a control process performed by the illumination light control unit during a period when the SLM control unit receives and applies a video image signal for controlling a modulation of the first SLM. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141195 | Apparatus and method, both for controlling spatial light modulator - An image display apparatus includes: a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and a second modulator for modulating a first and a second illumination lights for displaying images; an SLM control unit for generating first control data and second control data for controlling the first and second SLMs respectively in accordance with the first and second control data, wherein each of the first control data and second control data is generated for each of a plurality of sub-frame periods divided from one frame period for displaying the images, and the start timing of one sub-frame period of the first control data is different from the start timing of one sub-frame period of the second control data. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147033 | COLOR DISPLAY SYSTEM - An image display apparatus for displaying images includes a light source for emitting an illumination light with an adjustable light intensity, at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving and applying an image signal for modulating the illumination light transmitted from the light source, and a control circuit for controlling the light source and/or the spatial light modulator to project modulated lights for image display having different dynamic ranges of the brightnesses between at least two successive frames. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147154 | Color display system - An image display apparatus is disclosed in the present invention. The image display apparatus includes a light source emitting an illumination light of at least two colors comprising a first color and a second color, at least two spatial light modulators for receiving and applying an image signal for modulating the illumination light emitted from the light source; and a control circuit for controlling the light source and/or the spatial light modulators to emit the illumination lights of different colors for modulation by the SLM to generate different gray scale characteristics between lights of different colors. | 06-11-2009 |
20090149004 | Micromirror manufacturing method - A micro-mirror manufacturing method for dividing a plurality of micro-mirror devices each having at least one mirror, formed on a semiconductor wafer into individual micro-mirror devices can be provided. The manufacturing method comprises a step of depositing an inorganic protection layer on the mirror before separating the micro-mirror devices from the wafer and a step of removing the inorganic protection layer after separating the micro-mirror devices from the wafer. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153579 | Speckle reduction method - A projection apparatus includes a laser light source for projecting an illumination light to a plurality of spatial light modulators (SLMs) through an illumination optical system. The projection apparatus further comprises an image position change unit for changing a position of an image projected on a projection surface by projecting a modulation light from at least one said plurality of SLMs; and a control unit for controlling the SLMs and the image position change unit. | 06-18-2009 |
20090161077 | PROJECTION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR MODULATING LIGHT BEAMS FROM PLURAL LASER LIGHT SOURCES - The present invention provides a projection display system comprising: illumination lights of plural colors emitted from plural laser light sources; an illumination optical system for illuminating the illumination light of at least one of the colors in an beam axis or in an illumination range, either of which is different from the other colors; a deflection mirror device for modulating the illumination lights of respective colors in the same deflection angle, with the modulation of each color being performed in sequence within one frame; a projection optical system for projecting the reflection light of the illumination light from the deflection mirror device; and a laser light source control circuit for controlling the intensity of the illumination light of each color, wherein the laser light source control circuit performs adjustment so that the ratio of intensity of each of the colors is a prescribed ratio. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161193 | Projection display system for modulating light beams from plural laser light sources - The present invention provides a projection display system, comprising: plural laser light sources; an illumination optical system for illuminating, in different beam axes, light beams emitted from the individual laser light sources; a deflection mirror device, constituted by plural mirror elements, for modulating the light beams illuminated by the illumination optical system; and a projection optical system for projecting a reflection light from the deflection mirror device illuminated by the light beams. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161198 | Micro mirror device - The present invention provides a mirror device, comprising: an electrode placed on a substrate; a memory circuit connected to the electrode; an elastic hinge disposed near said electrode and extending from said substrate for supporting a mirror above said electrode wherein said elastic hinge having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161199 | Mircromirror device having a vertical hinge - A mirror device comprises: a plurality of electrodes disposed on a substrate; a hinge connected to at least one of the electrodes; a mirror connected to the hinge and corresponding to at least one of the electrodes. The mirror device further comprises a barrier layer is disposed between the hinge and mirror, and/or between the hinge and electrode. Also noted is a mirror device production method for producing such-configured mirror device. Furthermore, this invention discloses a projection apparatus implemented with a mirror device manufactured and assembled according to the configuration as described. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161223 | Anti-reflection layer with nano particles - A micromirror device includes a particle-containing anti-reflection layer that covers at least a portion of the device or its package other than a mirror surface. The size of the particle may be smaller than or equal to the wavelength of light incident on the micromirror device, or smaller than or equal to 800 nm, preferably at least 380 nm but smaller than or equal to 800 nm. The particles may be metal particles, preferably TiN particles. | 06-25-2009 |
20090174810 | Video display system - A video display system includes: an image processing unit receives continuously an input video signal including an input frame signal for generating an output video signal comprising an output frame signal having a higher frame rate than the input frame signal; and a spatial light modulator (SLM) applies the output frame signal for modulating an illumination light, wherein an amount of data in the output frame signal is smaller than the amount of data in the input frame signal. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174824 | Color sequence control for video display apparatus - A video display apparatus is provided, comprising: a light source(s) controllable for emitting a plurality of reference colors; a color conversion circuit received an input video signal for generating the color data of at least one correction color for correcting a reference color emitted from a light source; an image processing unit receives the input video signal for generating an output video signal comprising a plurality of sub-frame signals; and a control circuit applies the color data generated by the color conversion circuit for controlling a light source to display color images. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174926 | Micromirror device with a single address electrode - A micromirror device comprises a plurality of mirrors arranged on a substrate, an elastic hinge for supporting each mirror to be deflectable in a plurality of directions, an address electrode composed of first and second regions that are arranged across the deflection axis of each mirror, and a driving circuit for controlling the mirror to deflect in the directions of the first and the second regions. | 07-09-2009 |
20090179837 | Display system comprising a mirror device with micromirrors controlled to operate in intermediate oscillating state - A display system includes a spatial light modulator for displaying an image by the modulation state of a plurality of micromirrors, and a control device for controlling the spatial light modulator. The control device includes a data conversion device for converting all or a part of the digital image data input to the display system into non-binary data, and a modulation-control device for generating a modulation control signal for micromirrors depending on the non-binary data, and a modulation-control device for controlling the spatial light modulator. The modulation state of the micromirrors by the modulation control signal includes modulation by oscillation of the micromirrors. The modulation-control device controls a voltage value of the modulation control signal to be applied to the driving electrode of the micromirror such that the amplitude of the oscillation can be smaller than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors in the modulation by the oscillation of the micromirrors. | 07-16-2009 |
20090180171 | Projection apparatus using micromirror device - A projection apparatus comprising a micromirror device for reflecting and modulating a light emitted from a light source to project a display an image on a display screen. The projection apparatus further includes a projection optical system comprises an adjustable aperture for adjusting an aperture ratio to control an amount of output light reflected from the micromirror device to the image display screen. | 07-16-2009 |
20090185085 | Display device with an addressable movable electrode - A display device implemented with a spatial light modulator (SLM) comprising a plurality of pixel elements arranged in array to modulate incident light and display an image, wherein each of the pixel elements comprises a movable electrode and a stationary electrode; a drive circuit connected to the movable electrode and receives image data for applying a voltage applied to control the movable electrode in accordance with image data, and a voltage application circuit for applying and controlling a voltage applied to the stationary electrode to control a moving speed of the movable electrode. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185257 | Mirror device having vertical hinge - The present invention provides a mirror device, comprising: a substrate; a mirror disposed approximately in parallel to the substrate above the substrate; and a hinge supported on and extended approximately perpendicularly from the substrate for supporting the mirror, wherein the hinge is connected to the mirror with a first edge part of the hinge buried in the mirror. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185258 | System configurations and methods for controlling image projection apparatuses - A projection apparatus comprising a light source for emitting incident light and a mirror device that includes a plurality of mirror elements each guiding the incident light to the ON position towards a projection light path under pulse width modulation (PWM) control corresponding to one frame or sub-frame or to the OFF state so as not to guide the incident light to a projection path. The light source is turned off outside the period in which the mirror element with the maximum brightness is in the ON state. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190045 | Color display apparatus - A color display apparatus includes a color changeover unit for changing over colors of an illumination light or a projection light, and a control circuit for applying a video signal for generating a control signal for controlling a spatial light modulator, wherein the control circuit further applying the video signal for generating a control signal during a transition period when the illumination and/or the projection light are projected with a first color coexisting with a second color as the color changeover unit changing over the colors of the illumination light or projection light from the first color to the second color. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195858 | Changing an electrode function - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator constituted by a plurality of pixel elements, wherein each of the pixel elements further comprises a deflectable mirror and an electrode for controlling the deflectable mirror, and the electrode receives signals to control the deflectable mirror depending on a direction of an incident light transmitted to the spatial light modulator. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201236 | Deformable micromirror device - A micromirror device, which makes an image display with digital image data, comprises pixel elements each of which makes pulse width modulation (PWM) for incident light depending on the deflection state of light and which are arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixel elements has a mirror, at least one memory cell comprising a transistor and a capacitor, and an electrode connected to each transistor. Memory cells arranged successively in a ROW direction are connected by a ROW line. The image data is loaded at a time interval during which the voltage of the electrode can hold the deflection state of a pixel element. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201418 | Video display system - A video display system includes an image processing unit receives continuously an input video signal including input frame signals for generating an output video signal including output frame signals having a higher frame rate than the input frame signals; and a display unit for displaying a video image in accordance with the output frame signals , wherein each of the input frame signals has 2̂M gray scale levels for each pixel, the image processing unit further generates the output frame signals including at least a first output frame signal having 2̂N gray scale levels with N̂M for each pixel and a second output frame signal having [2̂M-2̂N] or fewer gray scale levels for each pixel. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201568 | Three states of micro mirror device - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising a mirror modulating a light emitted from a light source, wherein the mirror is further controlled to operate with at least three stationary states whereby an image is projected with a gray scale expression through a combination of modulation of the light operated in the three stationary states. | 08-13-2009 |
20090206052 | Method for manufacturing a mirror device by means of a plurality of sacrificial layers - A method for manufacturing a device comprising an elastic member on a substrate includes steps of: forming a sacrificial layer by forming a plurality of sacrificial sub-layers on the substrate; forming a plate member in or on the sacrificial layers connected to the substrate and substantially parallel to a top surface of the substrate; and removing the sacrificial sub-layers after forming the plate member by removing the sacrificial sub-layers in an order different from the reverse order of forming the sacrificial sub-layers. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207164 | Mirror control within time slot for SLM - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel elements; a first control circuit for supplying control signal data to each of the pixel elements in a time slot having a predetermined time interval to control and apply a first control process to operate the pixel element; and a second control circuit for applying a second control process in the time slot to operate each of the pixel elements wherein the second control process is different from the first control process. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207165 | Spatial light modulator including drive lines - A spatial light modulator includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel elements arranged in a form of a matrix; a word line extending along and connected to a row of the pixel elements pixel elements; and a plate line for transmitting additional modulating signals to said pixel array extended along each row of the pixel array and connected to the pixel elements in a first row and a second row constituting two different rows. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207324 | Circuit for SLM's pixel - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator comprises a plurality of deflectable mirror controllable to deflect from a horizontal state to first and second deflecting directions; an electrode connected to a memory and disposed in the first deflecting direction underneath each of the deflectable mirrors; and an electrode connected to a plate line and disposed in the second deflecting direction underneath each of the deflectable mirrors. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207325 | Algorithm for SLM of single hinge type - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixel elements; a plurality of word lines each connected to a row of pixel elements; a plurality of plate lines; and a plurality of bit lines each connected to a column of pixel elements, wherein each of the pixel elements further comprises a memory and an electrode connected to the memory, wherein the memory is connected to the word line and the word line is further connected to the plate line. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207474 | Micro mirror device - The present invention provides a mirror device, comprising: a mirror; an elastic hinge for supporting the mirror and the elastic hinge has a specific electric resistance. The mirror device further includes an electrode for controlling the mirror, wherein a voltage is applied to the elastic hinge for a predetermined period in synchronous with a change of an electric voltage applied to the electrode. | 08-20-2009 |
20090219279 | Driving method of memory access - The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel elements wherein each of the pixel elements comprises at least a switching element; a plurality of control lines connected to at least one of the switching elements; and a controller for generating and transmitting a control signal through the control line for controlling the switching element, wherein the controller starts transmitting the control signal to a first switching element through a first control line before the control signal applied to a second switching element through a second control line is turned off at a low voltage level. | 09-03-2009 |
20090231496 | Display control system for spatial light modulators - A display control system, comprises: a spatial light modulator (SLM) constituted by a plurality of pixel elements placed in array; a first control unit for controlling each of the plurality of pixel elements under a state of ON or OFF; a second control unit for controlling each of the plurality of pixel elements under a state other than the ON or OFF states; a control changeover unit for dividing one frame period, for each pixel element of the plurality thereof, into a period of the first control unit controlling and that of the second control unit controlling, and also changing over between a control of the first control unit and that of the second control unit for each pixel element of the plurality thereof; and a data division unit for dividing input data to each of the plurality of pixel elements into first control unit-use data, which is input to the first control unit, and second control unit-use data which is input to the second control unit in accordance with the content of the present input data. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231667 | Mirror device with an anti-stiction layer - A micromirror device includes an elastic hinge for supporting a mirror on a substrate, and an address electrode for deflecting the mirror. The device further includes a protective layer and an oriented monolayer laid to cover a stopper also functioning as an address electrode provided below the mirror and between the mirror and the substrate. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231668 | Mirror device with an anti-stiction layer - A micromirror device includes an elastic hinge for supporting a mirror on a substrate, and an address electrode for deflecting the mirror. The device further includes a protective layer and an oriented monolayer laid to cover a stopper also functioning as an address electrode provided below the mirror and between the mirror and the substrate. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231669 | Projection display system with varying light source - The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source for emitting illumination light; at least one spatial light modulator with a plurality of movable mirrors corresponding to pixels to be displayed, for performing a modulation of the illumination light through operation of the movable mirrors; a light source control unit performing a modulation control of the light source; and a spatial light modulator control unit generating, from an input image signal, a control signal for driving the spatial light modulator, wherein: the light source control unit adjusts a pulse emission frequency of an emission pulse of the illumination light emitted from the light source while corresponding to an oscillation frequency of the movable mirrors. | 09-17-2009 |
20090257110 | Mirror device comprising drive electrode equipped with stopper function - The present invention provides a mirror device, comprising: a plurality of deflectable mirrors; an elastic member for deflectably supporting the mirror; a drive electrode for driving the mirror; a control circuit for giving electric charge to the drive electrode and controlling the deflecting direction of the mirror; and a substrate on which the drive electrode and the elastic member, wherein the drive electrode is placed within an area on the substrate the mirror is projected on, has an outer form constituted by sides approximately in parallel to the outer peripheral lines of the present mirror and by sides approximately parallel to the deflection axis of the present mirror, or a form obtained by dividing the aforementioned outer form into a plurality thereof, and also fills the role of a stopper for regulating the deflection angle of the mirror. | 10-15-2009 |
20100033800 | Mirror device with flat and smooth mirror surface without protrusion or dip - This invention discloses a mirror device comprises a mirror array. The mirror array includes multiple mirror elements. Each element comprises a mirror supported on a hinge. The hinge is attached directly to the mirror and is substantially perpendicular to the mirror. The hinge penetrates a bottom surface of the mirror with a hinge-top buried in a layer of the mirror beneath a top surface of the mirror. | 02-11-2010 |
20100128225 | Gamma correction for adjustable light source - The present invention provides a projection apparatus comprising: a light source; a light source control unit for controlling output of the light source; at least one spatial light modulator for modulating illumination light from the light source by a plurality of pixel elements; and an optical system for projecting, to a screen, the illumination light deflected by the spatial light modulator, wherein: the light source control unit modulates output of the illumination light from the light source during a modulation period of the spatial light modulator, and non-linearly controls gray scale of a projected image projected to the screen. | 05-27-2010 |
20100214646 | Spatial light modulator and display apparatus - The present invention provides an image projection system comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) comprises a plurality of pixel elements, wherein each of the pixel elements further comprises a deflectable mirror, and at least a first electrode and a second electrode for controlling the deflectable mirror to deflect to different tilt angles to reflect and modulate an illumination light for displaying an image; and a controller for applying a voltage to the second electrode wherein the voltage applied in an initial operation period is different from the voltage applied in an image display period. | 08-26-2010 |
20100284057 | Mircromirror device having a vertical hinge - A mirror device comprises: a plurality of electrodes disposed on a substrate; a hinge connected to at least one of the electrodes; a mirror connected to the hinge and corresponding to at least one of the electrodes, wherein a barrier layer is comprised between the hinge and mirror, and/or between the hinge and electrode. Also noted is a mirror device production method for producing such-configured mirror device. Further noted is a projection apparatus comprising such-configured mirror device. | 11-11-2010 |
20110058247 | Mirror device with an anti-stiction layer - A micromirror device includes an elastic hinge for supporting a mirror on a substrate, and an address electrode for deflecting the mirror. The device further includes a protective layer and an oriented monolayer laid to cover a stopper also functioning as an address electrode provided below the mirror and between the mirror and the substrate. | 03-10-2011 |